Mechanical Drafter salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Mechanical Drafters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $64,510 a year ($31.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,730 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $71,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $63,390. There are 0.21 mechanical drafters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $69,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical drafters in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| 25th percentile | $51,930 | $24.97 |
| Median | $64,510 | $31.02 |
| 75th percentile | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| Average (mean) | $69,470 | $33.40 |
Half of mechanical drafters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,375.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,687.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,481.15 |
| Weekly | $1,240.58 |
| Hourly | $31.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Drafter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $75,360 | 500 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,190 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $64,730 | 170 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $63,400 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,420 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,330 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical drafters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $89,940 |
| Colorado | $85,280 |
| New Jersey | $83,380 |
| California | $82,510 |
| Texas | $79,380 |
| Louisiana | $77,730 |
| North Dakota | $77,570 |
| Washington | $76,820 |
| Maryland | $76,740 |
| New York | $76,490 |
See Mechanical Drafter pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| Drafters, All Other | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,860 | $35.03 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,630 | $45.97 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,660 | $51.28 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical drafter make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for mechanical drafters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $64,510 a year, or $31.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical drafters make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of mechanical drafters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $99,730 a year. The top 25% earn $78,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical drafters in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,930 a year, and a quarter of mechanical drafters earn $51,930 or less.
How many mechanical drafters work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 60 mechanical drafters are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.